Liquid lip rouge preparation



Patented Jan. 28, 1941 UNITED STATES 2,230,063 LIQUID LIP ROUGE PREPARATION Milton Klimist, Chicago, Ill., assignor to M. Martin Gordon, Chicago, Ill.

No Drawing. Application January 23, 1939, Serial No. 252,390

Claims.

My invention relates to liquid lip rouge preparations and is particularly concerned with compositions of a character which overcome the objections to lip rouge preparations which have heretofore been known and used.

The lip rouges which, prior to my invention, have been almost universally used by women have had a fatty or waxy material or mixtures thereof as their base constituent, the remainder including fillers, a suitable dye and/or pigment and perfuming agent. Such preparations have been sold in the form of sticks or salves or the like. The objections to the use of these preparations are manifold and have long been recognized but no one prior to my invention has suggested any satisfactory means to eliminate the same. Thus, for example, as is well known, such lip rouges smear and rub off. Hence, when the lips so rouged 2 come in contact'wlth handkerchiefs, cigarettes, articles of clothing and the like, the rouge is in part removed and smudges and discolors such articles, not to speak of requiring the reapplication of the rouge to the lips to restore the desired appearance. Furthermore, such lip rouges are acted upon by the saliva and the liquid foods which come into contact therewith, the result heing that it is necessary to renew the application of the lip rouge at relatively frequent intervals. Other objections to this type of product are also sufficiently well known so that it is unnecessary to discuss the same at further length.

It has also been proposed to prepare liquid rouge products for application to the lips but, due 35 to their various deficiencies, none has come into any general use. Such preparations contain, for example, a dye dissolved or dispersed in water or water-organic solvent preparations. They are unsuitable for various reasons chief among which is their lack of permanency due to lack of resistance to moisture. Indeed, efforts to cope with this problem have gone so far that some suggestions have been advanced for the use, as a liquid lip rouge, of the germicide known as Mercurochrome. While this compound will color the lips, it possesses the disadvantage of being watersoluble and various other deficiencies which militate against its use, among which may be mentioned its questionable lack of innocuousness.

50 My invention brings about improvements of a major character in the field of lip rouges. I have succeeded in preparing liquid compositions which are innocuous, are moisture-proof and smearproof, are readily and easily applied to the lips 55 and which last for long periods of time thereby avoiding the necessity for frequent renewal of the application to the lips. The new compositions made in accordance with my present invention are not only more readily applied to the lips but, in addition, the application can be effected more uniformly and permits results to be attained, such as reshaping lip contours, making them appear fuller or thinner as desired, without causing spreading of the color over portions of the skin not desired to be colored.

The novel liquid lip rouge preparations of my invention include, in general, a coloring material which is preferably an oil-soluble or spirit-soluble organic dye, a volatile solvent for the dye, a film-forming material, and a plasticizer or softening agent which renders the film on the lips soft and flexible so that the continuity of the coating on the lips is substantially unaffected by the movements and actions to which the lips are normally subjected over a period of at least several hours. It will be appreciated that the human lips are subject to considerable movement in speaking, eating and as a result of the conscious and subconscious flexing of the facial muscles. In order to obtain the most satisfactory results, the coating on the lips must be of such a character that it will not crack or peel, streak or fade even under adverse conditions of movements of the lips. In accordance with myinvention, these results are achieved in a novel and effective manner.

The following examples are illustrative of compositions falling within the scope of my invention. It will be understood that said examples are given only by way of illustration and are not to be construed as being in any way limitative of the full scope of my invention. Thus, for example, variations and changes may be made, within limits, in the nature of the ingredients of the composition and the proportions thereof without departing from my novel teachings.

Example I Percent Ethyl cellulose 3.1 Ethyl alcohol 68.4 Petroleum ether 20.0 Hydrogenated methyl abietate 7.5 Rhodamine 1.0

Example II Percent Ethyl cellulose l- 3.06 Bleached wax-free shellac 4.94 Ethyl alcohol 65.00 Petroleum ether 14.66 Hydrogenated methyl abietate 12.00 Fuchsine 0.3

Saccharin 0.04

Percent Ethyl cellulose 3.5 Ethyl alcohol 90.7 Castor oil 5.0

Tetra-bromo eosine 0.8

Example IV Percent Ethyl cellulose 3.0 Bleached wax-free shellac 2.5 Methyl abietate 7.5 Ethyl alcohol 75.0 Petroleum ether 11.0

Oil-red O 1.0

Example V Percent Cellulose nitrate (ethyl alcohol soluble type) 4.0 Bleached wax-free shellac 2.5 Hydrogenated methyl abietate 8.0 Ethyl alcohol 85.0 Rhodamine 0.5

Example VI Percent Ethyl cellulose 4.0 Bleached wax-free shellac 5.0 Hydrogenated methyl abietate 9.0 Ethyl alcohol 81.0 Rhodamine 1.0

I have obtained exceptionally satisfactory results employing ethyl cellulose as the film-formiIlg material or ethyl cellulose in combination with shellac, preferably bleached substantially wax-free shellac. Other film-forming materials may be utilized either alone or in admixtures of two or more with some degree of success although not so satisfactorily as ethyl cellulose or admixtures of ethyl cellulose and wax-free shellac. These film-forming materials may be selected from a group including natural and synthetic gums, cellulose derivatives in the form of ethers and esters and the like. Among these filmforming materials may be mentioned, for example, cellulose nitrate and preferably that type thereof which is soluble in ethyl alcohol, Celluloid, cellulose acetate, cellulose propionate, cellulose butyrate, cellulose laurate, cellulose oleate, cellulose palmitate, propyl cellulose, butyl cellulose and the higher homologues thereof, rosin, mastic, ester gum, dammar, gamboge, pontianak, gum benzoin, Nevillite, Beckosols, Amberols, Arachlors, Santolite, and other synthetic gums and resins and the like. The film-forming material or mixtures of any two or more thereof which are selected should be soluble in the volatile organic solvent which is utilized.

While the volatile organic solvents employed may be selected from a large group, I have found ethyl alcohol as such or admixed with acetone to be unusually satisfactory. Other organic solvents, preferably having a degree of volatility of the order of that of ethyl alcohol, may be utilized with fair results. Among the organic solvents which may be employed are, for example, ketones such as acetone; ethyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol, petroleum or hydrocarbon solvents such as petroleum ether, and the like. Mixtures of two or more of these may be used with advantage in certain cases. In the specific examples listed hereinabove, the ethyl alcohol employed contained acetone in amounts of the order of 10% of the ethyl alcohol. The ethyl alcohol, for example, in addition to serving as an innocuous solvent, also exerts a cleansing and antiseptic effect upon the lips.

The softening agent or plasticizer selected will depend upon the solvent and the film-forming material employed. It is of organic character and should be soluble in the organic solvent or organic solvent mixture. Illustrative examples of suitable plasticizers are glycerin, methyl abietate, hydrogenated methyl abietate, dibutyl phthalate, butyl stearate, and castor oil. Hydrogenated methyl abietate is especially satisfactory and, therefore, its use represents a preferred embodiment of my invention.

The coloring material may be selected from a large group including pigments and oilor spiritsoluble dyes. While pigments, for example, such as the calcium salt of Rubex Red on aluminum hydrate, may be ground into the composition and employed with a certain degree of satisfaction, I have found that organic dyes are far more desirable in that their use provides compositions of much superior luster and transparency. Examples of dyes which may be utilized in the compositions of my invention are, for example, Auramine Base, Rhodamine, Oil Red 0, Tetrabromo-eosin, Fuchsine Base, Safranine Base, and the like.

The proportions of the various ingredients comprising the liquid lip rouge are subject to some variation although to obtain particularly goodresults, certain precautions must be observed. In general, the liquid lip rouge compositions should contain from about 65% to about 95% of volatile organic solvent, from about 1.0% to about 12% of film-forming material, from about 3.0% to about 15% of softening or plasticizing agent, and from about 0.05% to about 3.0% of dye. 'A' more preferred range comprises from 75% to 90% of volatile organic solvent, from 2.0% to 5.0% of film-forming material, from 8.0% to 13% of softening or plasticizing agent, and from 0.05% to 3.0% of dye. The amounts of film-forming material and softening agent employed are limited as a practical propostion by the nature of the coating desired on the lips, by the solubilities thereof in the organic solvent or mixture of solvents selected, and by the fluidity desired in the composition. Thus, for example, in the case of ethyl cellulose, it is ordinarily not desirable to employ more than about 5% in the liquid lip rouge composition where the organic solvent is ethyl alcohol. Those skilled in the art will, in the light of my description, readily be able to select proportions of ingredients which will produce entirely satisfactory compositions.

In general, in order to obtain the best results, the softening agent or plasticizer should be present in amounts at least equal to and preferably greater than the amount of film-forming material in order to obtain a coating of satisfactory flexibility characteristics so that it will not crack or peel from the lips when the latter are moved or brought into contact with food or other objects. Thus, reference may be made to Example II hereinabove from which it will be seen that the softening agent is present in amounts approximately 50% greater than that of the film-forming materials. It should be mentioned that certain film-forming materials also possess some plasticizing characteristics, an example in point being wax-free shellac. Hence, when using this material as a film-forming agent or as part of the film-forming material of the liquid lip rouge composition, the softening or plasticizing characteristics of the shellac should be taken into account in arriving at an optimum product.

I have found that the stinging sensation, which may occur when the liquid lip rouge is applied to the lips where, for example, ethyl alcoholristhe principal organic solvent employed, may be in large measure overcome by utilizing a volatile hydrocarbon in the composition. This is especially the case where the volatile hydrocarbon, such as mineral spirits or petroleum ether is preliminarily saturated with moisture by shaking the same with water. In this way, the petroleum ether or the like takes up about 3% of moisture. In the specific examples listed hereinabove where reference is made to petroleum ether, the product was preliminarily saturated with moisture before being introduced into the composition.

I The petroleum ether may be employed in the composition in varying proportions, a satisfactory range being from about 5% to about 20% with about 15% being close to the optimum.

The ingredients of the liquid lip rouge may be combined in any desired sequence. The admixture thereof may be effected at room temperature but is preferably conducted at slightly elevated temperatures in order to hasten the production of the solution. In the event that the preparation is to include the water-saturated petroleum ether or the like, such should be added to the composition after the remaining ingredients have been combined.

The liquid lip rouge compositions may have accessory agents added thereto such as perfumes, preservatives and/or anti-oxidants and other ingredients such as saccharin for the purpose of,

modifying the taste of the preparations. These accessory agents, where employed, are utilized in small proportions and form no part of the essential aspects of my invention which are pointed out in the appended claims.

The liquid lip rouge preparations of my invention are preferably clear and transparent and of a viscosity such as to prevent excessive running or spreading when applied to the lips. In general, I have found that products having a viscosity ranging between about 3 and 500 centipoises are satisfactory with arange of about 20 to about 50 centipoises givingexceptionally good results.

The liquid lip rouge of my invention is conventionally applied to the lips with a small applicator in the form of a thin rod made of an absorbent material and supported upon its interior with a twisted metallic or wire member.

The present application is a continuation-inpart of my application, Serial No. 152,913, filed July 10, 1937.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A liquid lip rouge comprising an innocuous composition which, when applied to the lips, forms a moisture-proof, smear-proof coating, the ingredients constituting said lip rouge comprising a volatile organic solvent, coloring matter, a plasticizer, and a film forming material selected from the group consisting of resins, gums and cellulose ethers and esters, said ingredients being present in approximately the following proportions:

, Per cent Volatile organic solvent 65 to 95 Coloring matter 0.05 to 3 Plasticizer 3 to 15 Fihn-forming material 1 to 12 the plasticizer being of a character and present in the composition in amounts sufficient to form a soft coating on the lips without cracking.

2. A liquid lip rouge in accordance with claim 1, wherein the volatile organic solvent comprises at least in large part ethyl alcohol.

3. A liquid lip rouge in accordance with claim 1, wherein the film-forming material is a cellu- Per cent Ethyl alcohol 65 to 90 Spirit-soluble dye 0.05 to 3 Ethyl cellulose 2 to 5 Plasticizer 2 to 13 the plasticizer being of a character and present in the composition in amounts sufficient to form a soft coating on the lips without cracking.

6. A liquid lip rouge in accordance with claim 5, containing a. minor proportion of a substantially water-saturated petroleum ether in amounts sufficient to reduce any stinging sensation when the composition is applied to the lips.

7. A liquid lip rouge comprising an innocuous composition which, when applied to the lips, forms a moisture-proof, smear-proof, soft coating, the ingredients comprising said lip rouge being present in approximately the following proportions Per cent Ethyl alcohol to spirit soluble dye 0.05 to 3 Ethyl cellulose 2 to 5 Hydrogenated methyl abietate 8 to 13 8. A liquid lip rouge comprising a substantially transparent, innocuous composition which, when applied to the lips, forms a moisture-proof, smear-proof coating, the ingredients constituting said lip rouge comprising a volatile organic solvent comprising at least a large part ethyl alcohol, coloring matter, a plasticizer, and a filmforming lower cellulose ether soluble in said organic solvent, said ingredients being present in approximately the following proportions:

Per cent Volatile organic solvent 65 to Coloring matter 0.05 to 3 Plasticizer 3 to 15 Film-forming lower cellulose ether--- 1 to 12,

the plasticizer being of a character and present in the composition in amounts suflicient to form a soft coating on the lips without cracking.

9. A liquid lip rouge composition comprising approximately 5% of ethyl cellulose, a larger proportion of a plasticizer not greatly in excess of the proportion of ethyl cellulose, of a character and in an amount sufficient to maintain the ethyl cellulose soft and non-cracking when the composition is applied to the lips, a small proportion of coloring matter and a large proportion of ethyl alcohol as a solvent to render the composition normally liquid.

10. A liquid lip rouge composition comprising a minor proportion of ethyl cellulose, a larger proportion of a plasticizer not greatly in excess of the proportion of ethyl cellulose, of a character and in an amount sufficient to maintain the ethyl cellulose soft and non-cracking when the composition is applied to the lips, a small proportion of coloring matter and a large proportion of ethyl alcohol as a solvent to render the composition normally liquid.

MILTON KLIMIST. 

